About the song
Waylon Jennings was a country music outlaw. He was known for his rebellious spirit and his hard-living ways. But even Jennings had a soft spot for his mama. And that’s what makes his song “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” so special.
The song is a tongue-in-cheek warning to mothers about the dangers of raising a cowboy. Cowboys are hard to love, Jennings sings. They’re always on the road, and they’re more likely to give you a song than a diamond ring. But even though Jennings knows that the cowboy life is a tough one, he can’t help but romanticize it. He sings about the freedom of the open range and the excitement of a cattle drive.
“Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was a hit when it was released in 1978. It reached number one on the country charts and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The song has been covered by many artists, including Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Alan Jackson.
The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal appeal. It’s a song about mothers and sons, about love and loss, and about the choices we make in life. It’s a song that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved a cowboy.
Key takeaways:
- “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” is a song by Waylon Jennings.
- The song is a tongue-in-cheek warning to mothers about the dangers of raising a cowboy.
- The song was a hit when it was released in 1978 and has been covered by many artists.
- The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its universal appeal.
Additional information:
- Waylon Jennings was born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1937.
- He began his music career in the early 1960s and was one of the founding members of the outlaw country movement.
- Jennings had a long and successful career, with over 60 albums to his credit.
- He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
- Jennings died in 2002 at the age of 64.